Health Briefs

Mercy Regional Medical Center will host a free community presentation on minimally invasive options for treatment of common gynecologic problems from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Durango Public Library, 1900 East Third Ave.

Dr. Mareca Pallister will explain innovative procedures that can result in less scarring, less pain and faster healing.

An adult CPR/AED course will take place at 6 p.m. April 5 at the same location. This course will provide a two-year certification. The cost for both courses is $65, or one class may be taken for $50. Instructors are available to teach at businesses or organizations.

San Juan Basin Health Departmentís Food Safety Program will offer a ServSafe Course from 8 a.m. to noon March 26 to 29 in the health departmentís training room, 281 Sawyer Drive.

The cost is $150 which includes all textbooks, materials and a five-year certification test. Sponsored by the National Restaurant Association, this course is designed for professional food service management. Advance registration is required by Tuesday so textbooks and materials can be ordered.

To register or for more information, call 335-2055.

Board of Health to meet in Pagosa

The next Board of Health meetings will take place at 2 p.m. Thursday in Pagosa Springs at San Juan Basin Healthís conference room, 502 S. Eighth St., and at 2 p.m. April 26 at the departmentís Columbine conference room, 281 Sawyer Drive in Durango.

The public is welcome to attend. In general, meetings will take place on the fourth Thursday of each month in 2012 and meet in Pagosa Springs every third month.

Local nurses to be honored March 29

The Southwestern Colorado Area Health Education Center will honor 12 local nurses nominated by peers and employed by local organizations March 29 at the DoubleTree Hotel, 501 Camino del Rio.

The second annual Regional Nightingale Luminary Awards Banquet celebrates the hard work of nurses who dedicate their time and expertise to a variety of issues in Southwest Colorado. There are two awards: Luminary Awards, which are presented to regional award recipients, and Nightingale Awards, which will be presented to state-level award recipients. All Luminary Award recipients are eligible for selection as a Nightingale Award recipient and will be recognized at an event in May. Nurses are recognized in two categories: Nurses in Clinical Practice and Administrators, Educators, Researchers and Non-Traditional Practice Roles.